Video of the week: Timelapse of aurora borealis

The aurora borealis rarely appear over the mid-latitudes of Canada, but when a strong solar storm took aim at Earth this week, storm chaser and photographer Dave Patrick was ready.

Patrick, who calls Arthur, Ontario home, monitored the solar data to see whether this geomagnetic storm would be strong enough to generate aurora in his area. On the night of October 7th, he got his chance.

Low-lying fog hindered visibility in his two closest viewing locations, so Patrick headed to Conn, one of the highest points in southern Ontario. He was rewarded for his efforts with two hours of bright, multicoloured auroras dancing above the fog.

“The fog gave it an ethereal feel,” he says. Every northern lights display is different, Patrick adds, but this one was special.

“This show almost seemed to breathe; it got bright and weakened every 20 to 30 seconds, much like it was inhaling and exhaling. It was very neat to see and capture.” The timelapse is comprised of 360 still images taken between 12:30 and 2:30 a.m.